Occupant Maintenance Responsibilities For Rental Housing

Division Of Student Affairs; Western Michigan University

1. Every tenant shall cooperate with and assist the owner to keep and maintain the dwelling in a safe and sanitary condition and to meet the minimum requirements of the city Code.

2. Every occupant of every dwelling unit shall immediately report to the owner of such dwelling the occurrence of infestation of the dwelling or premises by insects, rodents or other pests or any other conditions of which he is aware which are required to be corrected to comply with this Code. Every occupant must maintain his/her dwelling unit in a reasonably clean condition so that it is insect-resistant and rodent-resistant.

3. No occupant of any dwelling unit shall allow any filth, garbage or other debris to accumulate in his or her dwelling unit or any other area over which it can be shown that said occupant had exclusive use and possession. Occupants shall make proper use of trash receptacles provided by the owner.

4. No occupant of any dwelling unit shall deposit any filth, garbage or other debris in any common areas except in receptacles and in places prescribed by the owner in accordance with this Code.

5. Occupants of all dwelling units shall securely wrap all garbage placed in garbage containers, keep the area in which the container is stored clear and free of odor and aid the owner in keeping the container from becoming foul-smelling or a breeding place for insects. Rubbish other than garbage shall be stored in containers in a manner which is safe and sanitary...(Call Public Works at 337-8002 for information on the monthly pick-up of trash in the curb-lawn area.)

6. Occupants of all dwelling units shall be responsible for the replacement of old batteries with new batteries for the battery-operated smoke detectors within their dwelling units.

7. Occupants of all dwelling units shall be responsible for the replacement of light bulbs within their dwelling units.

8. If extermination of insects, rodents or other pests is not the owner's responsibility in a single-family dwelling under Chapter 17, Section 90 of the Housing Code, the occupant thereof shall be responsible. See brochure on Landlord Maintenance Responsibilities for a description of 17-90.